Kensington and Chelsea Council has demanded an apology from secretary of state Hilary Benn over criticism of its record for dealing with dangerous fumes.

A survey released on the web site for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) said that the council done nothing to regulate fumes which are by-products in petrol stations, dry cleaners and paint sprayers within the Royal Borough.

This has angered council officials - who claim that they have carried out inspections in a bid to prevent hazardous chemicals and fumes from escaping into the environment.